Troubleshooting ODBC errors

  • Rversion finale: Australia
  • Mis à jour 12 mars 2026
  • 2 minutes de lecture

    • Reference guide for common ODBC driver errors and their resolutions when using the ServiceNow SQL API.

    This reference topic provides information about common errors that may occur when using the ServiceNow SQL API ODBC driver and their recommended resolutions. Use this guide to diagnose and resolve connectivity, authentication, and query-related issues.

    Common ODBC Errors

    The following table lists common ODBC driver errors you may encounter when working with the ServiceNow SQL API, along with their probable causes and recommended solutions.

    Error Message Probable Cause Resolution
    Connection failed Invalid instance URL, username, or password Verify that your ServiceNow instance URL is correct and that your credentials are valid. Ensure the user account has the sn_odbc_rest_access role assigned.
    Authentication error MFA is enabled for the non-interactive user or incorrect password Disable MFA for the non-interactive SQL API user. Verify that the password is correct and does not exceed 16 characters in length.
    Access denied to table Missing egress_sql or read ACL for the table Create the required ACLs with operation egress_sql and read for the specific table. Ensure the ACLs require the sn_odbc_rest_access role.
    IP address blocked Client IP address is not in the allowed IP range Add the client machine IP address to the SQL API Authentication Policy IP filter criteria. Contact your network team to determine the correct IP range.
    Query rate limit exceeded More than 500 queries executed within one hour Wait for the rate limit window to reset or optimize your queries to reduce the total number of requests. Consider caching frequently accessed data.
    Driver not found ODBC driver not properly installed or registered Reinstall the ServiceNow SQL API ODBC driver using the provided installer. Ensure you have administrator-level access on the client machine.
    JDK not found JDK 17 is not installed on the client machine Install JDK 17 on your client machine. The ODBC driver requires JDK 17 to function properly.
    Unsupported SQL operation Attempting INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, or other write operations The SQL API is read-only by design. Only SELECT statements and limited SQL commands are supported. Modify your query to use only supported operations.
    Invalid data type conversion Data type mismatch between ServiceNow field and SQL query Review the field data types in ServiceNow and adjust your query accordingly. Use appropriate SQL functions for type conversion if needed.
    Timeout error Query execution time exceeded the configured timeout limit Optimize your query by adding WHERE clauses to filter data at the source, limiting result sets, or breaking complex queries into smaller operations.

    Related Information

    For additional troubleshooting assistance:

    • Review the JDBC errors troubleshooting guide for issues specific to the JDBC driver.
    • Consult the supported SQL commands documentation to verify your queries use only permitted operations.